Glass panel construction



J. J. OHLIs March 1943;,

GLASS PANEL CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed y 3, 1940 HHHHII:

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E JULIUS J J. J. OHLIS GLASS PANEL CONSTRUCTION March 16, 1943.

4 Shag-sheet 2 Filed May 3, 1940 Juuus J March 16-, I943.-- J. J. OHLIS GLASS PANEL CONSTRUCTION Filed May 3. 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 8.

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, J. J. jol-lLls 2,314,238

\ GLASS PANEL CONSTRUCTION Filed May 3, 1940 4 Sheqts-Sheet 4 March '16, 1943.

pointed out in the claims.

Patented Mar. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 2,314,238 GLASS PANEL ooNsrrRUoTioN Julius J. Ohlis, oak park, 111.

Application May a, 1940, Serial No. agar 12 Claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals designate like parts in all the views, Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View through a skylight made in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing more clearly a detail of construction illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figs. -3 to 7 inclusive are enlarged vertical sectional views illustrating modifications of the construction shown in Fig. 2; i

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the invention as applied to a wall panel;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view more clearly illustrating the construction shown in Fig; 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail of a modification in the region of a jamb;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of the construction shown in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of a construction incorporating the features shown in Figs. 7 and 9.

This invention is particularly directed to constructions wherein glass blocks are employed for the purpose of transmitting light and for aiding in the insulation against the passage of heat and cold, whether the glass blocks are used solely or in combination with other glass-work, Figs 8 to 10 being examples of the former, and the re maining views illustrative of the latter or double glazing.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, there is disclosed a roof generally indicated by the numeral I having an upstanding curb 2 defining or limiting a skylight opening generally indicated by the numeral 3, while 4 represents an opposite curb or an intermediate skylight supporting beam as desired, the parts I-, 2 and 4 being illustrated as formed of concrete. structure of poured concrete including side por- The skylight comprises a dons such as 5 and a plurality or intersecting ribs 6 attending from one side portion to another, thereby creating light admitting openings in the skylight as readily understood, the ribs being provided with reinforcing elements I and 8 such as metal was embedded withih the concrete portions 5 and B. h I

The inner edges of the side portions 5 are recessed to provide the horiiontal surfaces iridicated at [0 and H, and each of the ribs 6 is formed to provide the horiiontal upper surface indicated at l2, which surfaces f0, II and I2 are in a common plane, and likewise the bottom surfaces of the members 5 and 6 are formed in another common plane parallel to said first named plane. I p

A metallic grid for theskylight opening is provided comprising a frame having side members indicatedby the numerals I3 and Hi which are oisubstantially Y shape in cross section, and substantially flat intersecting grid bars such as [5, each bar centrally overlying a concrete rib, the members l3, l4 and- IB having their upper extremities lying in acommon plane and their lower extremities embedded inthe concrete of the members 5 and 6. upper edges of the members 13, i4 and 15 are flanged as shown to keyingly retain the sealing compound l6 disposed around the marginal edges of the glass panes l;l forming the-outer glazing of the skyllg-ht.- Threaded sockets such as l3 extend inwardly from the bottom surfaces of the concrete members 5 and 6 to receive anchor bolts such as I9 for holding the glassblocks 20 in place through the instrumental-ity of metallic holdingstri-ps Q21 the edges of which underlie the lowermost surfaces ofsaid blocks. 7 h

The grid as above described will be understood to comprise a plurality of grid bars such as l5 which intersect each other inany manner as well understood in this art; suchintersectionforming no specific part of this invention, said grid there-l by forming; a pluralityof' cells or openings, and therefore the intersecting grid bars [5 constitute separators defining openingsfo'r receiving them;- per panes ofglass indicated by the numeral l'l,

each pane being, slightly less in' dimension than the size of the pane receiving opening so that, when the p ane is: properly positioned withinits opening, sealingcomposition l6 may be applied around the marginal edge of each pane to cement itto the metallic grid. pane is preformed with the usual wire mesh reinforcement since said pane is exposed to the elements and, in the instance of a sidewalk or vault light, to the tread Preferably the extreme of pedestrians. Furthermore each pane rests upon a metallic seat indicated at 22 and carried by the concrete structure, so as to bring the upper surface of the pane into the topmost plane of the skylight, or in other words to make a flush exterior surface. Cork gaskets indicated at 23 may be applied between each pane and the upper surfaces Ifl, II and I2 of the recesses in the concrete structure.

In skylight construction, and in order to protect the top of the concrete members 5, a sheet of flashing such as 25 is employed, one edge portion thereof being extended down and into the Y of the grid frame, and sealed in place by sealing compound such as l6. If desired, a locking strip 26 may be provided and secured in place as by the screw 21 to further aid in the securement of this edge of the flashing sheet. The opposite edge portion of the flashing sheet is bent downwardly as indicated at 28 to overlie the upper edge portion of a drip cap 29 and, if desired, the flashing sheet may be reinforced by an innermost sheet 36 of any suitable roofing material. 3| represents roofing material laid over the roof deck I and turned upwardly on the curb 2, with the uppermost edge portion underlying the sheet 30 and drip cap 29, to make a Weatherproof construction. The curb 2 and the concrete portion of the skylight may be unitarily poured 'or formed separately as illustrated, in the latter case the two portions preferably having therebetween a sheet 32 of any suitable cushioning, weatherproofing and/or insulating material.

The lower glazing consists of hollow glass blocks 20 which may be formed by the vacuum process, or they may be formed of two halves as indicated, the halves preferably being pressed together under annealing conditions to make them more or less adhere to each other. These blocks preferably carry internal surface configurations, as indicated in the drawings, in order to diffuse the light passing through the blocks. Also, the top and bottom surfaces are preferably planar or smooth as contradistinguished from the surfaces of the sides which are preferably recessed as shown to keyingly hold the sealing compound indicated at 33.

In Figs. 1 and 2, around each cell formed by the any undue excess of compound at the lowermost portion of the cell may be removed before the final tightening of the holding strips 2|. Any excess of sealing compound I6 can not enter the cell because the metallic seats 22 for the panes l1 serve as a wall to prevent passage of said compound, and preferably the compound I6 is applied after the panes I! have been placed on said seats 22.

To prevent condensation and undue pressure forming in the space between the upper glazing (panes l1) and the lower glazing (blocks 20), breather passages such as 31 are formed in the concrete ribs 6, which passages may comprise a concrete members 5 and 6, there is shown a metallic insert 35 of sheet metal the lowermost edge of which is inturned as at 36 to provide an upper seat or stop for the glass block 23, these seats lying in a common horizontal plane and being more or less resilient or springlike to make firm contact with the uppermost surface of the glass block, said seats being so positioned that when the block is inserted in the cell and pushed up against said seats, the lower surface of the block will be in the plane of the bottom surface of the concrete member 5.

Thus it will be understood that sealing compound may be applied as by troweling to the inner surfaces of each cell below the stops or seats 36, and also may be applied to the outer vertical sides or surfaces of the glass block 20, after which said block is pushed upwardly into the cell until it comes to rest against said seats 36, whereupon the holding strips 2| may be applied and secured in place as by the bolts Hi, the sealing compound adherently filling the recesses in the sides of the block and adhering to the concrete surfaces of the cell. Any excess sealing compound that may have been extruded between said seats 36 and the block may be wiped or scraped off before the panes H are put in place, and in similar manner bore or an embedded tube of relatively small diameter, said passages, interconnecting all of the cells formed by such ribs, and from one of the side cells in the skylight there leads a breather passage 38 to the interior of the building. These breather passages are quite important in equalizing the pressures between the room and the space between the double glazing; in other words these breather passages prevent the formation of increased pressure between said glazing, as caused by the heat of the summer sun, and which increased pressure might normally disrupt the skylight construction either by breaking the sealing compound joint or possibly by cracking the panes I! or the blocks'20.

In Fig. 3 there is illustrated a modification of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, comprising the omission of the metallic insert 35 and the holding strip 2|. In their place there is provided on each wall of the cells, a thin and more or less yieldable metallic strip generally indentified by the numeral 40 extending the full depth of the cell. This strip has its upper edge 4| turned over and supported by the upper horizontal surface of the rib 6, and has an inwardly directed bend 42 the lower surface 43 of which is substantially horizontal and serves as the stop for the upper surface of the glass block 20. The lowermost edge 44 of said strip is adapted to be bent inwardly of the cell to underlie and support the glass block after said block has been inserted into its cell.

The modification illustrated in Fig. 4 is quite similar to the construction shown in Fig. 2, differing therefrom in the omission of the holding strip 2!. To secure the glass block 20 in its cell,

the inner surface of the rib 6 is provided with a I recess 50 for keyingly receiving and holding the sealing compound 33, the block being temporarily held in place until the sealing compound has set sufficiently to hold the weight of the block.

The modification shown in Fig. 5 is somewhat a composite of the constructions shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in that it comprises the metallic insert 35 with its lower inturned edge 36 serving as an upper stop for the glass block 20, and a continuous strip 5| extending from the top of the rib B downwardly to the lower extremity thereof, the lowermost edge 52 of said strip being turned inwardly of the cell to underlie and support the bottom surface of the glass block. The uppermost edge of said strip may be supported by the rib 6 as in the construction shown in Fig. 3.

In the modifications shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the concrete ribs 6 are replaced with intersecting metallic ribs 55 whose uppermost extremities such as 53 constitute the separators between the panes I7, and whose lowermost portions are internally threaded at spaced intervals to receive bolts for securing strips 51 for holding the glass blocks in place. The metallic seats 22 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for the upper panes [1 are replaced by integral or separate lateral extensions 58 of the metallic rib 55, and angles 59 are provided interiorly of each cell below the extensions or seats 58 to serve as upper stops for the glass blocks, all as will be perfectly clear from the drawings.

According to Fig. '7- the holding strip 51 is omitted and strips 6!! are brazed or otherwise secured to the metallic rib 55 for supporting the glass blocks 26. The lower edge portion of the strip 68 is inwardly and upwardly bent at an angle such as indicated at SI, and is of sufficient resiliency or springiness to snap under the interior shoulder 52 formed in the side of the glass block to hold said block when pushed upwardly into its cell. A second strip 63 is provided in each cell the lower edge portion of which is resiliently and inwardly directed as at 3 to serve as an upper stop for the glass block. The metallic ribs 55, like the grid bars l5, intersect each other in any manner as Well understood in this art, their intersection forming no specific part of this invention.

The constructions shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 should be perfectly clear without undue description, it being obvious that these constructions are more suitable for interior panel work than for skylight, roof, or vault structures, in that they do not require double glazing. Here the construction primarily is of glass blocks alone but supported in place by intersecting metallic grids or separators ii] creating cells into which the glass blocks are placed, the intersection of such separators likewise forming no specific part of this invention. Each grid member riveted or otherwise secured thereto at its middle as at "H a resilient or springlike metallic strip 12 the free edges of which are flexed out of the plane of the separator it and extend into the cells formed thereby, said strip being bent inwardly or otherwise adapted to springingly engage the internal shoulder 14 formed in the side of the glass block. Thus it will be understood that when the glass block is inserted in its cell, the edge Portions of the strip '52 will snap into and become locked in said shoulders It to hold the glass block securely in its cell, sealing compound 15 being applied to the space between adjacent glass blocks and around the separator 10. This grid, being of metal, can be secured very easily in the wall as by structural members it welded or otherwise secured to the outer frame members of the grid and having a portion extending'into a suitable recess Tl formed in the wall; thus T bars or angle irons or other appropriate forms may be used for such securement, a T being illustrated in Fig. 10 as an example.

In Fig. 11 substantially the same construction illustrated in Fig. 9 is employed, except that the joint between two adjacent glass blocks 25 is closed or covered by a metallicstrip 88 generally of T shape cross section as shown, with resilient members 8| riveted or otherwise secured to opposite sides of said strip, the free portions of the members 8| extending laterally and provided with a bend 82 to snappingly engage and hold in the internal shoulders 'l l of the blocks, all as will be clear from the drawings.

Coming now to Fig. 12 there is illustrated a modification incorporating the features for example of Figs. '7 and 9 in that there is provided a double glazed structure with a metallic grid member similar to the member 55 shown in Fig. 7. Instead of the block supporting means shown or separator has the extreme edge portion E3 of.

and the blocks being spaced in Fig. '7, however, there is illustrated the construction shown in Fig. 9 comprising the spring strips'lZ the edges of which look in the shoulders M and thus support the glass blocks 20.

Thus it will be seen that by this invention there is broadly provided a wall panel that may be utilized either in a vertical wall of a building or in the ceiling of a room, which panel comprises a grid formed of intersecting separators such as the ribs 6 or members 55 and Iii, which separators define light transmitting cells, in combination with glass blocks in said cells and held therein by means carried by the separators and engaging surfaces of said blocks. The block securement includes recesses or shoulders formed in the sides of the blocks and a plurality of instrumentalities or means coasting therewith and with other surfaces of the blocks, such as the sealing compound, the members 2| and 36, 43 and M, 36 and 52, 51 and 59, iii and E4, 12, and also the recess 50 in the face of a concrete rib. These means and instrumentalities secure the block lockingly, as well as snappingly and lockingly, in the cells, and comprise resilient members Whose outer edges are flexed in a direction away from the separators, and which outer edges springingly engage the recesses or shoulders on the sides of the blocks. The holding strips such as ill, being secured at substantially their longitudinal centers by the bolts it? to the ribs 6 and having their edges upturned as shown, provide a yieidable securement ior the biooks so that, when the breather passages are not provided, undue pressure created between the upper panes H and the blocks 20, may cause slight relative movement of either the panes or the blocks as when a sealing compound is used therewith which. does not become absolutely rigid upon setting, the holding strips 2! springingiy yielding upon the movement of the blocks. It is also apparent that the constructions shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 as well as in Fig. 11 may be used separately or alone as a vertical or horizontal wall panel, or said constructions may be used in conjunction with the pane structure ll for double glazing in either vertical or horizontal arrangements as desired.

vMore specifically this invention provides doubie glazing comprising the upper panes H of wired glass, and the hollow glass blocks, the former being load-supporting and the latter being temperature-insulating, the wired glass panes being supported by horizontal surfaces such as Hi, H and I? of the grid, and the glass blocks being supported between opposing vertical surfaces of said grid, when the entire structure is arranged horizontally as in a ceiling, the panes from each other to provide an air space in each cell, said air spaces being interconnected with each other by passages such as 3'! through the grid elements or separators, one of such air spaces (preferably one at the side of the entire structure) being connected as by the passage 33 to the atmosphere (of the room indicated at 3) for equalizing the pressures in all of said air spaces and said room.

Still further, the invention includes in combination a grid comprising a frame, a pocket formed in the upper surface of said frame (the Y shape construction of the side members is and i i), a flashing 25 having an edge entering said pocket, and means to secure the flashing edge in said pocket. The pocket has a lip extending inwardly thereof at the upper extremity of the inner side wall of the pocket and under which the flashing edge extends, with sealing compound packed into said pocket to engage said flashing edge and said lip, and the strip 26 is secured as by the bolts 21 to said lip to extend across the opening of said pocket and pinch- ,ingly hold the flashing where it bends downwardly over the edge of the pocket.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit of this invention and therefore it is desired not to be limited to the exact foregoing disclosure except as may be required by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a structure of the class described the combination of a grid consisting of elements defining light transmitting openings; wired glass panes mounted in said openings at one extremity thereof; hollow glass blocks mounted in said openings at the other extremity thereof; and means securing said panes and said blocks in said openings, the means for securing said blocks comprising members mounted upon vertical faces of the grid elements and having laterally deflected resilient portions engaging said blocks,

2. In a structure of the class described the combination of a grid consisting of elements defining light transmitting openings; wired glass panes mounted in said openings at one extremity thereof; hollow glass blocks mounted in said openings at the other extremity thereof; and means securing said panes and said blocks in said openings, the means securing said blocks comprising members disposed on the vertical sides of the grid elements and having portions engaging surfaces of said blocks, the said surface-engaging portions being yieldable and flexed upon contact with said blocks when said blocks are inserted in said openings.

3. In a structure of the class described the combination of a grid consisting of elements defining light transmitting openings; wired glass panes mounted in said openings at one extremity thereof; hollow glass blocks mounted in said openings at the other extremity thereof, said blocks provided with recesses in their vertical sides; and means securing said panes and said blocks in said openings, the means securing said blocks engaging the recesses thereof and supported by grid elements.

4. In a structure of the class described the combination of a grid consisting of elements defining light transmitting openings; wired glass panes mounted in said openings at one eX- tremity thereof; hollow glass blocks mounted in said openings at the other extremity thereof, said blocks provided with recesses in their vertical sides; and means securing said panes and said blocks in said openings, the means securing said blocks comprising members having yieldable portions disposed to snap into said recesses when said blocks are inserted in said openings.

5. In a structure of the class described the combination of a grid consisting of elements defining light transmitting openings, said elements provided with recesses in their vertical sides; wired glass panes mounted in said openings at one extremity thereof; hollow glass blocks mounted in said openings at the other extremity thereof, said blocks provided with recesses in their vertical sides registrable with the recesses of the grid elements; and means securing said panes and said blocks in said openings, the means securing said blocks engaging the registered recesses. Y

6. In a light-transmitting panel construction the combination of a grid, upper and lower glazing, and means securing each glazing in said grid, one glazing comprising a wired glass pane supported by horizontal surfaces of said grid, the other glazing comprising a hollow glass block supported between, and keyed by the securing means to, opposing vertical surfaces of said grid.

7. In a light-transmitting panel construction the combination of a grid, upper and lower glazing, and means securing each glazing in said grid, one glazing comprising a wired glass pane supported by horizontal surfaces of said grid, the other glazing comprising a hollow glass block supported between, and locked by the securing means to, opposing vertical surfaces of said grid.

8. A wall panel comprising a grid formed of intersecting separator strips defining light transmitting cells, and glass blocks in said cells, said blocks having recesses in their sides, each separator strip carrying a resilient member whose opposite outer edges are flexed in a direction away from said strip, said member'secured substantially at its center to said strip, said outer edges of all of said members springingly engaging the recesses of said blocks for holding said blocks in said cells.

9. In a wall panel construction the combination of a grid comprising intersecting separator strips defining light transmitting cells; a glass block in each cell, said block of a thickness greater than the width of the separator strips and having inwardly formed shoulders in its sides closely adjacent the faces of said block; a resilient member carried by each separator strip and secured substantially at its center to the separator strip and having its opposite outer edges flexed in a direction away from the strip, said edges constituting means springingly engaging the shoulders of a block to hold said block in its cells; and a closure for the joint between the blocks of two adjacent cells, said closure having a head spanning the joint and engaging face portions of the adjoining blocks, said closure also having springlike elements extending into said joint, the free ends of said elements being oppositely directed and engaging the shoulders of the adjoining blocks when said blocks are inserted in their cells.

10. In a light-transmitting panel construction the combination of a frame, upper and lower glazing, and means securing each glazing in said frame, said means comprising a resilient member carried by said frame and having a portion yieldably engaging a recess formed on one of said glazings.

11. In a light-transmitting panel construction the combination of a grid, upper and lower glazing, and means securing each glazing in said grid, said means comprising a spring-like member mounted upon said grid and having a free edge engageable with one of the glazings, the other glazing comprising a wired glass pane supported by horizontal surfaces of said grid, said one of the glazings comprising a hollow glass block supported between opposing vertical surfaces of said grid and having a recess in an outer surface resiliently engaged by the free edge of said spring-like member when said block is positioned in said grid.

12. A wall panel comprising a frame defining a light-transmitting cell, a building block in said cell, said block having a recess on a surface thereof in registry with said frame, and means securing said block in said cell, said means comprising a resilient member carried by said frame, said member secured intermediate its opposite edges to said frame with such opposite edges flexed to extend into said cell and to yieldably engage the recess of said block, whereby said block may be moved from a lateral positiQn into said cell by virtue of the resilience of said member.

JULIUS J. OHLIS. 

